Melawati Run 2020 - Challenge Your Limits

Winners from all the categories posing for a photo after the prize presentation of the Melawati Run 2020.

I am back, albeit it was a last-minute decision. I only got to know that the organiser had an extra media bib available the night before the race. Better late than never. So, I decided to say yes to repeating the Steroid Hill and all at the Melawati Run 2020.    

Like the year before, I took the first LRT from Salak Selatan to Wangsa Maju, arriving in Wangsa Maju at around 6:45am. While waiting for the cab, I saw a bus approaching. It must have been my lucky day - the bus goes to Melawati Mall. 

I reached the race venue around 7:00 am. The 15km runners were still behind the start line. Hurm... delay again? Later I heard there was a fallen tree on the route, so we had to wait for them to clear it off the road.

At around 7:20am, the 15km runners were flagged off after a 20-minute delay. The 7km runners were flagged off around 7:26am. Well, we couldn't complain much since it was an act of God. According to the organiser, 2000 runners from 13 countries took part in the annual road race this year.

Read on for a photo recap of my first race in 2020.  

This is how the start line looked like when I arrived. It was dark and the only light was from the clock. I was told the lights went off before 7am! Technical error?

Suddenly, the street lights are back. Rejoice!

The veeps and organisers who would be doing the flag off.

These veeps were ready to flag the runners off, but there was a delay due to a fallen tree on the route.

Pacers for the 15km category. No more party balloons, just normal-looking big round balloons.

3.2.1...Blast off! 

7km runners flooding the road next to the Melawati Mall.

The sky was so clear that we could see Genting Highlands from the route.

The hills are here to challenge your limits. 

Huff! Huff! Step by step we moved up the incline.

Even though the sun was up, the weather in Melawati was cool this morning. 

This section is what they called the Steroid Hill. 

Almost to the top of Steroid Hill.

Berry-flavoured 100 Plus, non-gassy 100 Plus and mineral water was served at the water station.

Guess whose house is this? 

You can't miss the two golden canons in front of the house.

The house, or rather the mansion belongs to film mogul, Datuk Yusof Haslam. If I am not mistaken, his house was used as a location for these hit movies - Maria Mariana, Sembilu Pontianak Menjerit, Sembilu and of course for his legendary TV show, Gerak Khas.    

Kuala Lumpur skyline as seen from the route. It was quite windy on top of the hill. Love it! 

The scenic part of the run. 

This is Jason! He overtook us and won the top spot for the Men Open 15km. 

We snaked through the Melawati residential area before heading back to the Melawati Mall.

100 m to the Finish Line.

The finisher medals were handed out to the runners in an orderly manner by the Girl Guide (Pandu Puteri)

After collecting our medal, we get a roll each from the Girl Guide. Plenty of 100 Plus and cold Vico served at the finish line. 

#irunsoicaneat Breakfast at SF Coffee. 

Overall, I enjoyed the Melawati Run 2020, 7km Run. Just a perfect run to kick off the running season in 2020. Maybe we could upgrade to 15km, next year? 

Congrats to Kelab Rekreasi Taman Melawati. This signature annual event is growing bigger and better every year! The route is hilly enough to provide some challenges to runners. If you persevere, you will be rewarded with a great view of KL skyline at the top. Make it a must-try race for you next year if you are tired of running the same old routes in Kuala Lumpur or Putrajaya. :)  

What I like (Same as last year):
1) Great traffic control.
2) Adequate water station
3) Gorgeous medal
4) Long-sleeve 2ndSkin running tee.
5) Pacer service for 15K.
6) Yummy Vico! Slurp!

Needs Improvement:
1) Distance Markers - still not present. Since this is an annual event, why not KRTM invest on some reusable distance markers? Put some motivational words on them.
2) The venue was quite dark during the start. Perhaps the Melawati Mall/ organiser could ensure the start area is properly lit.
3) Mall carpark was not open early in the morning.